Pope gets good deal on used car

Pope Francis has taken delivery of a used car he intends to drive himself as his new mini popemobile.

A spokesman for the Vatican, Father Ciro Benedettini, said the Pontiff has been given a 1984 Renault 4 and plans to use it for short journeys around the grounds.

The free donation came from Father Renzo Zocca, a priest in the north of Italy. He drove the four-door papal white vehicle to visit the poor members of his parish. It has a manual gearbox and has been fitted with a new engine.

Father Zocca said he took Francis for a short spin around the Vatican on Saturday and the Pope said he knew how to drive it. He is widely known for his humble lifestyle but is said to have driven a car in his home country of Argentina.